A schematic of Russell’s electric power system is drawn in detail on the office whiteboard of Russell Utility Director Duane Banks.
Banks and engineers from area power providers are sorting out ways to tie-in Russell to an additional power transmission feed.
A second tie-in would prevent 16-hour blackouts like the one the city suffered a week ago Thursday, Banks said.
“An alternate feed would be an ideal solution, but it’s very costly,” Banks said. “I have engaged with an engineer to look at this very item …. and I’ve met with Sunflower Electric with conceptual ideas for an additional feed. These are things we’ve looked at to make a more reliable feed.”
But a solution like that won’t come cheap. The lowest cost option so far is $3.5 million, he said.
In the meantime, a portable transformer installed by Western Cooperative Electric, WaKeeney, and Sunflower Electric Power, Hays, replaces the one that failed. It has the city covered, Banks said.
“I don’t feel insecure about the mobile transformer at all,” he said. “And when they make the transfer to the permanent one it should be seamless. There shouldn’t be any outage.”
Banks said he expects Western Cooperative and Sunflower Electric to make the transfer any day. But rain delayed the process, he said.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)